The Progressive Democrat Newsletter grew out of the frustration of the 2004 election. Originally intended for New York City progressives, its readership is now national. For anyone who wants to be alerted by email whenever this newsletter is updated (usually weekly), please send your email address and let me know what state you live in (so I can keep track of my readership).

Saturday, March 05, 2011

Lancaster Co. PA Focus

From the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO:

We Support Wisconsin Workers

Pennsylvania AFL-CIO Joins in Support of Wisconsin Workers Under Siege by Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker

Harrisburg, PA - Pennsylvania AFL-CIO President Rick Bloomingdale and Secretary-Treasurer Frank Snyder issued a call today for support among all Pennsylvania unions and working families for Wisconsin’s workers whom are under siege by Republican Governor Scott Walker and the other extremists in the Legislature.

“The entire labor movement in Pennsylvania stands united with the working men and women of the Wisconsin Labor Movement who are battling in the streets for their rights, their jobs, and their living standards. Your fight is our fight, Bloomingdale declared, against extremists who are attempting to scapegoat unions and working families for a budget crisis that was created by Wall Street not by Main Street. Declaring war on the middle class is a cowardly act that will not resolve the budget crisis or promote good jobs. This is a threat to every worker no matter where you live,” Pennsylvania AFL-CIO President Rick Bloomingdale said.

“Gov. Scott Walker must have cheese in his head. This is the United States of America not some third world dictatorship. We urge the people of Wisconsin to replace Governor Walker and all the other extremists in their Legislature as soon as the democratic legal process allows. Put Wisconsin back in the hands of the people not tyrants, ” Pennsylvania AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Frank Snyder declared.

We are an organization dedicated to the promotion of progressive values and principles that empower everyone, with discrimination towards none, to attain the quality of life and happiness envisioned, embodied, and ensured by the Constitution of the United States of America. We are:1. Committed to a strong, sustained grassroots involvement in the political process.2. Committed to promoting an America where candidates speak the truth about policy choices and stand up for what they believe.3. Committed to working for progressive policies, like health investment in children, equal rights under the law, fiscal responsibility, and a national security policy that will make America stronger by advancing progressive values.

I want to renew my emphasis on this because it is SO important. Progressives really need to express their opinions loud and clear to counter act the whining, lying and shouting of the Teabaggers: DEMOCRATS SPEAK OUT: (from the Lancaster County Democratic Party Website)

Writing a letter to the editor is a great opportunity to share your opinion, educate the public on issues, or promote your candidate. A well written, well timed letter to the editor can shift public opinion and influence votes.

On-line submissions and email are faster and allow letter writers to respond to issues quickly. Try to observe the parameters set by each newspaper, especially the length of the letter. Also be sure to include your name, address, email address and day and evening phone numbers. Newspapers almost always call to verify that you did indeed submit a "Letter to the Editor."

Always have someone else proof read your letter. We suggest that you construct the letter on a word processor, like Microsoft Word, and spell and grammar check. Try to stay positive. Negative attacks do not persuade anyone to vote for your candidate. See Tips for Writing a Letter to the Editor.

When writing in support of a candidate, please copy your letter to your candidate's campaign. Campaigns often reprint letters that support them or their point of view. Submitting your letter directly to a campaign avoids any allegations of improper use by the print media. See our Candidates page. Contacts for local and Congressional campaigns are listed there.

BIODIESEL IN LANCASTER CO. PA: Here is a list of gas stations in the area where biodiesel is available. Most new diesel engines will take up to 100% biodiesel (B100), but older diesel engines are fine up to 20% biodiesel (B20).